Pendleton's "Godfather" charged with bribery

Natividad Lara "Nate" Cervantes, who referred to himself as the "Godfather at Camp Pendleton," was arraigned today (April 12) on bribery charges, according to the U.S. Attorney's office. Cervantes, supervisor for construction and service contracts at Pendleton, used his position to get bribes from businesses looking for contracts, according to court records. According to the government complaint, Cervantes on March 26 met with a cooperating witness who agreed to pay him a $40,000 bribe in exchange for a $4 million contract at Pendleton. Four days later, the two met to pass the initial payment of $10,000. When Cervantes accepted the envelope with the cash, Federal Bureau of investigation agents stepped in. Cervantes appears in court May 10.